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This introduction briefly presents a historical and legal scaffold for the project. It
then describes my personal position as the creative researcher.
background: colonialism and the disintegration of the kothaa
1
This introduction provides a brief explanation of the position of the lal batti in India
and the laws that affect it. It then positions the researcher in relation to the project.
2
Prostitutes have been an important part of Indian society since the Vedic period.
During this time prostitutes held a significant cultural position. Operating from
Kothaas 3 , these women were sophisticated practitioners of many art forms including
music, dance, poetry, adornment, coquetry and etiquette. Known as tawayafs, they
were educators who epitomised the desires of contemporary noblemen. Tawayafs,
sought to secure a permanent patron by establishing an enduring sexual liaison with a
noblemen.
For centuries, the importance of the tawayaf continued to be interwoven with
Indian nobility. Banerjee (1998) suggests, Even 400 years later – in the 17 th
century – prostitutes continued to be major partners in the social and cultural festivities and
royal expeditions (p. 21).
4
During the Mughal Empire, tawayafs reached their zenith of influence and were
considered a significant force in the socio-political system of the period. However, in
the early 18 th century, their status began to degenerate as a result of colonialism.
When the Mughal Empire collapsed their role was threatened by the new English
rule. Many traditional cultural norms during this period were destroyed.
1
2
3
This is a Hindi word for Red Light District of a city.
Vedas are Indian holy books written in Sanskrit and generally dated between 1500 and 800BC.
Kothaas were the institution in which these women lived and conducted their professional activities.
4 The classic period of the Mughal Empire began with the accession of Akbar in 1556 and ended with
the death of Aurangezeb in 1707. The last Emperor, whose rule was restricted to the city of Delhi,
was imprisoned and exiled by the British after the Indian rebellion of 1857
(See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empire).
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